AC outlet- who uses it

In my opinion, it was designed for utility lights, radios, recharging tool batteries (like Dewalt), small air compressors, etc. You could use it to do light jobs on a construction site, but don't expect to run saws or grinders with it.

It'd also be great for camping as it would run practically anything that you would have a camp site.

If you know the amps that a device is drawing, some simple math is the take the amps and multiply it by the voltage, and that will tell you how many watts it will use. For example, a small DeWalt air compressor is rated at 2.6 amps and runs at 110 volts. 2.6*110= 286 watts.

 

Good information, I had not read the manual on it yet. So with the blender right at the 400 amp limit, will it blend the beverage?

 

Not sure; I'm more of a beer guy myself so I haven't tried it out on margaritas yet lol. It should be fine as long as you're not trying to blender chunks or wood or anything like that

 

Keep it around a 3 amp draw and you'll be fine. This isn't a home outlet. It SHOULD offer a 15amp limit (hint to Toyota)...but it isn't .

 

I have had the system power down on accessory when I was setting it up day 1. So I assume, if the engine is not running, it will do the same after running something for a extended period of time from the outlet?

 

I found a few vent rows on the back of the center console. Is this the heat exhaust fan vent for the inverter?

Also, use something like a KillaWatt to measure the wattage draw of your devices

 

Just found this and it does kind of tick me off...why the hell didn't Toyota put the power inverter from the other models that have 1500W into the Tacoma??

Car Electronics
Inverters
1500W DC-AC Inverter


This DC-AC inverter delivers a maximum output of 1500W using the hybrid car's high-capacity battery. It enables electrical appliances that consume a large amount of power, such as microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and hairdryers to be used inside the vehicle, and can also be used as an emergency power source during disasters.
(Note: Depending on the specification of electrical appliances, they may not operate normally.)


[ Models Equipped ]
Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Estima Hybrid, MIRAI, etc.
Mitsubishi OUTLANDER PHEV
Nissan e-NV200


[Specific examples of usage]


400W DC-AC Inverter


This inverter converts the auxiliary battery's direct current of 12V to alternating current of 115V (for North America), enabling the use of household appliances of up to 400W inside the automobile. The inverter is powerful enough to enable the use of "weekend handyman" appliances such as power drills or power saws, in addition to household appliances of up to 400W.
(Note: Depending on the specification of electrical appliances, they may not operate normally.)


[ Models Equipped ]
Toyota Tacoma, FJ Cruiser (for North America), etc.

100W DC-AC Inverter

This inverter converts the auxiliary battery's direct current of 12V to alternating current of 100V (for Japan) / 115V (for North America), enabling the use of household appliances of up to 100W inside the automobile. Electrical outlets inside the car allow a wide range of uses, from business to leisure.
(Note: Depending on the specification of electrical appliances, they may not operate normally.)



Pre-installed type
[ Models Equipped ]
Toyota Alphard, Landcruiser
Nissan Elgrand, Serena



[Specific examples of usage]

 

Yes, those vents are for the inverter.

KillaWatt is a good idea.

In general, I worry about the draw of the inverter. At 400W, you are looking at over 30A on the 12V side (assume 12v nominal, but that's not even accounting for inefficiencies of the inverter and voltage drop)

 

Because we don't need no stinking hybrid battery?

 

agreed, i'm just being greedy. I always want more. probably would never need 1500w, but now that I know it's out there in other Toyota models, I want it in MINE. Of course that would probably require a bigger alternator so it's not worth it.

 

1500W at 12V is 125 Amps; Even if you assume 14.5V you are still over 100A and that doesn't account for losses. You will not be able to run it more than a few minutes with the engine off. I think that's more than a 10,000lb winch at full load. With the engine running and revved to maximize output from the alternator, I bet you would still lose ground with the inverter at full capacity and normal running loads.

However, it would be nice to have some surge capacity for AC motor starting inrush even if more continuous capacity would be problematic.

 

A quick search shows that the tow package puts a 130 amp alternator in the V-6 Tacoma, so 1500W is actually feasible...

 

Ha!

Not really. Losses and other 12V loads would make that impractical. It might be possible for short periods of time with the battery supplying current when the alternator is maxed out. Actually, for something like a chainsaw, this scenario might work. Since you would cut for a short time and then be repositioning logs or whatever between cuts.

I think the best way to do that would be a bank of Lithium-Ion batteries that get recharged from the 12V bus. That way they would be smaller and could supply the load longer. They make combo battery & inverter units. I forget what they are called, but they are sold as silent generators or some such. Pretty cool IMHO.

 

Awesome info...Thank you!

 

The 1500 watt inverter in those electric cars is not being fed 12 volts. It's probably getting 50-100 volts

 

Very true. I didn't explicitly state that and I can see now how that might not have been obvious. I think most traction batteries use voltages of several hundred volts (checking on the plug in Prius it's either 207 or 346V). The higher input voltage should make the inverter more efficient and will greatly reduce the input current to the inverter. Plus, that type of battery is designed for heavy loads.

Some utilities are using hybrid commercial trucks with massive batteries. The battery can be used as a power source for equipment or even for powering customers to keep them from going dark during maintenance that would normally cause a power outage. http://www.pgecurrents.com/2014/11/20/pg-vehicles-can-provide-exportable-power/

 

I tried using a vacuum plugged into it with the truck running to vacuum out the cab, but although it worked, it only seemed to have a fraction of the power it would have if plugged into a wall socket in the house.

 

Vacuums seem to be right on the edge of the watts available (400). Here's another page I found for reference with different tool / appliance ratings:

 

I have 3 vehicles, on wash day I plug in my Milwaukee battery charger for my cordless shopvac.

Generally the shop vac makes it through 2 vehicles (all 3 if the truck isn't real dirty)

 

A MUCH bigger alternator...